Teen Tech Council unveils 300k Phone Free Fund to drive new digital wellbeing projects
HalfTheStory has launched a 300k Phone Free Fund following a major in-person event with its Teen Tech Council, enabling students to design their own digital wellbeing initiatives.
A new teen-designed digital wellbeing initiative has been announced by HalfTheStory, as founder Larissa May took to social media to share details.
HalfTheStory is a nonprofit focused on digital wellness and youth mental health. The announcement confirms a 300,000 dollar Phone Free Fund that will support student-led projects developed through the organization’s Teen Tech Council.
In the post, May described the event as a milestone moment for the organization and highlighted the involvement of teen representative Harveer Saini. She wrote, “Yesterday was a dream come true. Inspired by the Phone Free Pep-Rally of the 90s #HalfTheStory gathered our Teen Tech Council and announced a $300,000 PHONE FREE fund so that teens could implement their own ideas.”
The event brought together students from multiple regions, with some traveling long distances. She continued, “Seeing the kids travel up to 20 hours to be there across the state was magic.”
HalfTheStory works with teens to co-design digital wellbeing programs addressing areas such as healthy device use, online identity, and civic engagement. The organization partners with schools and nonprofits across the United States.
Funding aims to scale teen-designed digital wellbeing projects
According to the post, the announcement was made alongside several partners, including Carmel Hill Fund, Polaroid, Pinterest, and Sally Gambrell Bridgford.
May added, “I am deeply grateful to Carmel Hill Fund Polaroid Pinterest and Sally Gambrell Bridgford, M.S.W. For making this a reality.”
The fund marks the organization’s next phase of scaling efforts. HalfTheStory’s existing Digital Civics Academy and student programs have reached tens of thousands of young people, with a focus on digital literacy, advocacy, and awareness-raising around the impact of algorithms and online environments.
The nonprofit positions itself as a youth-first digital wellness movement, involving students directly in shaping solutions rather than positioning them as passive recipients.
May used the post to reiterate the nonprofit’s mission and its reliance on teen-centered design. She said, “So we put teens at the table to write a new story.”
She closed with a statement that frames the initiative as part of a longer journey, “When there is darkness, you find the light—and you hold it.”
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